path-extendnpm
Advisory published Updated
path-extend is a confirmed malicious npm package (MAL-2026-2929) that steals credentials and exfiltrates sensitive data (malicious versions 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2…). Do not install it — remove it immediately and rotate any exposed credentials.
Malicious code in path-extend (npm)
What this malware does
On require(), path.js runs an IIFE that calls a loader which fetches a base64-hidden URL (https://www.jsonkeeper.com/b/XTTBX) from jsonkeeper.com — an anonymous, mutable JSON paste host — and passes the returned data.content to eval(). A second loader fetches https://www.jsonkeeper.com/b/P0CND for the same purpose. Variable names (randomStringRe, tokenStringRe) and base64-encoded URLs are obfuscation to evade scanning. The package name typosquats Node's built-in path module; package.json lists an empty author field and a generic 'Node.js path module' description, while path.js is otherwise a verbatim copy of Node core's path.js with the malicious fetch+eval block injected. Any installer that require()s this package runs attacker-controlled JavaScript in their Node process, with content the attacker can change at any time by editing the paste.
Any computer that has this package installed or running should be considered fully compromised. All secrets and keys stored on that computer should be rotated immediately from a different computer. The package should be removed, but as full control of the computer may have been given to an outside entity, there is no guarantee that removing the package will remove all malicious software resulting from installing it.
The OpenSSF Package Analysis project identified 'path-extend' @ 1.0.11 (npm) as malicious.
It is considered malicious because:
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The package communicates with a domain associated with malicious activity.
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The package executes one or more commands associated with malicious behavior.
Malicious versions
Indicators of compromise (SHA-256)
Detection & response playbook
Credential / info stealerFind it
Search your lockfiles and build artifacts for path-extend (14 malicious versions).
If you installed it — respond
path-extend is built to steal secrets, so assume every credential the build or runtime could read is compromised. Remove it from your project and lockfile, then rotate ALL exposed secrets — npm/registry tokens, cloud keys, CI/CD secrets, SSH keys, and any .env values — from a known-clean machine. Audit logs for unauthorized use of those credentials.
Did it already run?
If path-extend was installed, its post-install payload may already have run. Removing the package does not undo that — check outbound connections and credential use from the install window onward.
Frequently asked questions
Campaign
References
Credits
- Amazon Inspector · finder
- OpenSSF: Package Analysis · finder
- ReversingLabs · finder
Detect & block this
O3 blocks path-extend-class packages before install and in CI — and if it already ran, its runtime egress monitoring catches the credential exfiltration and severs the channel.